Barcelona forward Pedro has been told to stay away from Manchester United by Nou Camp legend Hristo Stoichkov, who says Louis van Gaal would "destroy" the Spain star.

ESPN understands that United are still interested in signing the 28-year-old, but are yet to match his £22m release clause, a major sticking point in the deal.

Pedro played a peripheral role as Barcelona claimed the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season, with Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez preferred in attack.

Boss Luis Enrique says Pedro's future will be sorted soon but has refused to give any guarantees over his role at the club.

However, the illness suffered by Neymar that will see him miss the Uefa Super Cup final against Sevilla and both legs of the Spanish Super Final against Athletic Bilbao could yet delay a deal for the forward.

But Stoichkov has called on Pedro and Barcelona to reject a move to United to join up with ex-Barca boss Van Gaal – who has a poor reputation at the Catalan side following two inauspicious spells as manager at the Nou Camp.

"Players do suffer, as the football is so mediocre," Stoichkov told Onda Cero about Van Gaal. "He is destroying all the players, because it is so mediocre, notice players who have he left because of him.

"He destroyed Barcelona at that time, then he is one to destroy good work that takes years to build.

"It turns out that £200m was spent and the other day I saw his first game in the English League [against Spurs]. They won 1-0 with a disastrous own goal and he is happy, mind you, he has to have a short little memory.

"I would never let Pedro leave, never. I wish Pedro would listen to me and I'd tell him these words: 'Stay in Barcelona'.

"See, Barcelona do not need money, no matter if it is €20m, €30m or €50m Pedro is a symbol of FC Barcelona. ​​Pedro is a guy who I would never sell, I never sell a committed guy, a guy with energy, a guy who struggles to be great."